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The latest versions of Red Hat Linux and Mandrake Linux are now available, as well as an updated version of Sun Solaris 8.

In an announcement earlier this week, Red Hat unveiled Red Hat Linux 7.2 and Red Hat Linux Professional, with new features for workstation and server uses.

Among the improvements are the inclusion of the latest 2.4.7 Linux kernel for increased scalability, the new Ext3 journalizing file system for data reliability, and improved tools for network configuration, user management, and other administration tasks.

Also now included is an ability to configure firewalls during installation. The operating system ships with improved Universal Serial Bus support, the Nautilus file manager, the Mozilla Web browser, and the latest versions of the GNU Network Object Modeling Environment (GNOME) and K Desktop Environment as well as a full version of Sun Microsystems' StarOffice 5.2 application suite.

The professional version for workstations and servers also includes a Web server applications CD with application development tools and Interchange E-Commerce package, a workstation applications CD with Adobe Acrobat, IBM Java Run Time Environment, and more.

Red Hat Linux 7.2 is priced at $59.95; the Professional edition is $199.95.

Mandrake's Options

Also on Monday, Paris-based MandrakeSoft announced that its new Version 8.1 will soon be available for purchase in four different configurations.

Mandrake Linux Standard Edition 8.1 sells for $29.95 and will be available early next month. The Mandrake Linux PowerPack Edition 8.1 sells for $69.95 and includes additional commercial applications that can be used to set up a full-featured workstation.

The Mandrake Linux ProSuite Edition 8.1 is designed for server use by small- and medium-size businesses; it sells for $149. The version scales easily for large enterprise deployments and includes 9 CDs and 1 DVD filled with Linux applications. It will be available in mid-November.

The Mandrake Linux ProSuite Gold Edition, priced at $1,190, includes Pro Suite Edition 8.1 for Intel's Itanium processors, as well as extended server support for one year.

Sun's Turn to Shine

In an announcement yesterday, Sun Microsystems released details of the latest upgrades to its Sun Solaris 8 Unix operating system, including an unlimited developer's license for the IPlanet Application Server. That would make it easier for developers to create applications for the Sun ONE "Web services on demand" platform.

Other features include better Java application performance and vastly improved disk partitioning capabilities that allow a virtually unlimited number of partitions using the included DiskSuite 4.2.1 application.

The new Solaris 8 is available for download free from Sun's Web site for use on machines with fewer than eight processors, while a SPARC version is available for $75 plus shipping. A version for Intel-based processors is $45 plus shipping.

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